Supporting-bottom for annealing-boxes.



P. E. HUNTER.

SUPPORTINGBOTTDM. FOR ANNEALlNG BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I. 1915.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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INVENTOR FIE-E- WITNESSES PERCY E. HUNTER, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

SUPPORTING-BOTTOM FOR ANNEALING-BOXES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

Application filed March 1, 1915. Serial No. 11,122.

porting-Bottoms for Annealing-Boxes, of

which the following is a specification. My invention consists of an improvement 1n the supporting bottoms of annealing boxes,

and relates particularly to means for sup-v porting and reinforcing the same at points usually subject to breakage.

It has for its object to provide a reinforcing pedestal adapted to support the weight of the bottom on the floor of the furnace and also to supplement the lateral retaining sides, ends and corners of the same, as hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the drawings showing preferred forms of the invention,-Figure l is a planview of the bottom, provided with the reinforcing pedestals. Fig. 2 is a side View in elevation, showing a portion of the cover in place. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the corner reinforcing pedestals, detached. Fig. 4 is a plan view, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified construction, omitting the side and end pedestals. Fig. 5 is a partial plan view, showing a further modification. Fig. 6 is an end view in elevation of the construction of Fig. 5.

In the use of bottoms of annealing boxes, the great weight and heat tend to result in sagging and breakage of the side and end edges, in lifting and manipulating them into and out of the furnace, resulting in distortion and rapid destruction of the bottoms, soon rendering them unserviceable.

In carrying out my invention, I provide pedestals for attachment to the bottoms at the various positions shown, or otherwise, as desired. The pedestals for the corners have an upper flat supporting surface 2 which fits up underneath the lower surface of the main bottom 3 and is secured thereto by rivets 4.-, preferably countersunk, so as lto provide a continuous flat upper surface. The bottom or an 3, which is usually of heavy plate, eitller Wrought or cast metal, is provided with a surrounding upwardly turned flange 5, which may be continuous,

or separated at the corners, as shown at 6. The pedestal, which is'made of cast or forged metal, Ahas an integral upwardly extending llange 7 forming a right angled bracket, adapted to surround and embrace the corners of the bottom, as shown.,v and to retain them against lateral spreading or separation.

Extending downwardly below the main body of the pedestal is the supporting leg portion 8, which may be of hollow oval form, integral, and joined with the main flat body portion by corner angle brackets 9. By this construction, ample space and clearance is provided for the securing rivets through the middle portion, and the device when in position fixedly holds the corner against strain or breakage` and also provides a strong reinforcing pedestal, supporting the bottom well above the furnace floor, vwith ample space for circulation of the gases, and for insertion of supporting or handling tools or bars. The side brackets are made in substantially the same way, except that a flange 10 extends up alongside the flange 5, thereby reinforciugit at its weakest point against sagging or warpage and reinforcing or preventing the breakage of the flange, such as is indicated at 11 in the sidesor ends. A pedestal of the same kind, without side brackets or flange, is secu red centrally underneath the bottom, as shown, and any number of such pedestals may be arranged underneath the bottom to suit the conditions of use. lVhen thus applied, the several pedestals as arranged equalize the strain of the weight and also provide points of applying lifting power at each side of the center, either longitudinally or laterally, thus preventing the exertion of strains at the central portions, and thereby greatly increase the durability and life of the bottom. The pedestals just described may be used with new or old partly broken bottoms with equally good results. The central, side and end pedestals may, if desired, be made without the reinforcing flanges, as shown in Fig. 4, the corners only being reinforced.

In Figs.v5 and 6, I show a modified construction utilizing angle shapes l2 for corner reinforcements, extending up around the flange or edge 5a and also down to the bottom of the longitudinal supporting angles or other cross members 13. These corner members are riveted, as shown, to the side flanges 5, as at 14:, or Welded, and form a very solid, compact, stable construction, Well The advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated by all those familiar with the use of annealing boxes.

lVhen the bottom has become so worn, broken or burned as to become practically useless, the pedestals may be removed and again applied to a new bottom with equally good results.

The specific form or design of the pedestal may be changed or varied by the skilled mechanic, as l do not desire to be limited to the exact construction shown, and all such changes are to be understood as within the scope of the following claims.

What l claim is:

1. The combination with an annealing box bottom having an upwardly extending flange, of a supporting pedestal having a flat base engaging the under face of said bottom, an integral upwardly extending retaining flange embracing said bottom flange, an integral foot portion extending downwardly from said base providing a middle clearance space, and rivets extending through said base and the bottom coincident with said clearance space and securing the pedestal to the annealing box bottom.

2. 'llhe combination with an annealing box bottom having an upwardly extending flange, of a supporting pedestal having a flat base engaging the under face of said bottom, an integral upwardly extending retaining flange embracing said bottom flange, an integral foot portion extending downwardly from said base providing a middle clearance space, reinforcing ribs extending from the base to the lower edges of said foot, and rivets extending through said base and the bottom co-incident with said clearance space and securing the pedestal to the annealing box bottom.

3. The combination with an annealing box bottom having an upwardly extending flange, of a supporting pedestal having a flat base engaging the under face of said bottom, an integral upwardly extending angular corner retaining flange embracing said flange at the corner of the bottom, an integral foot portion extending downwardly from said base providing a middle clearance space, and rivets extending through said base and the bottom coincident with said clearance space and securing the pedestal to the annealing box bottom.

4. A pedestal for an annealing box consisting of an integral metallic member having a middle flat bearing base, and a downwardly extending foot portion consisting' of a bearing edge set inwardly from the edges of the bearing base and surrounding an elongated clearance opening.

5. A pedestal for an annealing box consisting of an integral metallic member having a middle flat bearing base, a downwardly extending inwardly spaced foot portion surrounding an elongated clearance opening, and an integral upwardly extending flange reinforcing abutment portion.

6. A pedestal for an annealing box consisting of an integral metallic member having a middle flat bearing base provided with centrally arranged rivet holes, anA open center inwardly spaced downwardly extending foot portion, and an upwardly extending flange reinforcing abutment portion.

7. A pedestal for an annealing box consisting of an integral metallic member having a middle flat bearing base provided with centrally arranged rivet holes, an open Center inwardly spaced downwardly extending foot portion, and an upwardly extending right angled flange reinforcing abutment portion.

8. A pedestal for an annealing box consisting of` an integral metallic member having a middle flat bearing base, a downwardly extending open center inwardly spaced foot portion, and reinforcing tapered ribs connecting the bases with said foot portion, an upwardly extending flange reinforcing abutment portion, said bearing base having perforating rivet holes therethrough.

ln testimony whereof l' hereunto aflx my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

PERCY E. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

C. M. CLARKE, W. A.. HEGKMAN. 

